long time...no see!

So, I know, my new years resolution of writing once a week has long gone out the window. But isn't that what happens to most new years resolution? I mean, we make resolutions to eat better, work out, get up early- but they usually only last a month or so, right? The really bad thing in this case, as that I put my resolution on the world wide web! Well, life goes on, as it has these past weeks! So here is what has been going on these last few weeks...

February was a busy month. My parents came for a visit. We had a fabulous time seeing Paris and many of the favorite tourist places like Tour Eiffel, Palace of Versailles, Paris children's museum, river boat ride and visiting all around our village of Saint Germain en Laye. Many of these places we had not been to yet, and it was great to finally see them! Natalie was still enjoying school and Landon was exploring the house on all fours (crawling). At this time the church was meeting in a hotel in Paris and we were quickly outgrowing that location! We had an adult room and 2 children's classrooms. Those attending were the team along with the core members (we were not open to the public yet).

At the end of February, first weeks of March, a team from Kansas (our home church- Maranatha Worship Center) came. The first week they were here we had a team retreat at a campground 2 hours from Paris. The Kansas team did the children's ministry for the retreat. The kids were blessed with treats from the States as well as letters from family and friends! Our adult team had a wonderful time in worship and with guest speaker, John Kurt from PA.

Since that retreat it has been a whirlwind of activity. Over the last 2 weeks we have had two families and 2 single team members arrive. I have been helping them find their way around the grocery stores and with some kitchen help- which I really enjoy doing! Another big event that happened this month was our first public service on Sunday, March 14th. We are now meeting in a larger hotel with 3 classrooms for the kids ministry and a large meeting room for the adult service. We have had several families, couples and individuals visit over these last 3 weeks! It is exciting to see what God will do in the coming months!

Natalie is back in school after having a 2 week break. In France, they go to school 6 weeks and then have 2 weeks off! She had a hard time the first few days but now looks forward to seeing her friends. I spoke with her teacher this week and she said her French is slowly coming along. I asked Natalie on our walk home if she speaks French at school, she said "yeah, I say oui (yes) and no!" Funny

thing is she said it as if, "isn't this enough mom!" Her school is doing a carnival and parade in April. Her character is Little Red Riding Hood. Her teacher sent the book home for me to read to her- which of course is in French! I tried, but ended up just telling the story as I remember it!

Landon is a pro crawler. He can get around the house in a split second. He is now taking a few steps along the sofa, coffee table or whatever he is standing up to. His laid back personality is so very opposite of Natalie, but he is so much fun! He is always smiling. And whenever we are out, he is always smiling at whoever will look his way! When we went to the Palace of Versailles a few weeks back, I had him on my back carrier. Debbra and Stephen were smiling at me. I wondered what they were smiling at, I slowly turned around and Landon (on my back) had 4 teenage girls talking and surrounding him and he was soaking up the attention! He is such a flirt!

I am including a hodge-podge of pictures from the last few weeks! Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter! So thankful we are able to celebrate his death and RESURRECTION! Many blessings! Please feel free to keep in touch with us on Facebook (as I check that often and quickly write short snip-its about whats going on)!

Pictures from right to left: Landon exploring the view; Our family at the Palace of Versailles; the kids and I at Normandy (Utah) beach; Natalie doing a dance with her friend Hannah to the song "Rainbow in the sky" at the Bridge Kids talent show (@ the team retreat); Landon eating his first apple (not cut up); the three of us at Sacre Coeur- highest elevation in Paris and a beautiful church. Landon was asleep in the stroller. BTW- there is a little artist district behind the church a few blocks. This is my new favorite place in Paris! Its beautiful!

My cute kids

I think my kids are the cutest ever! I know every parent gets to proclaim this, but this week they did some cute and funny things. Here are some stories with pictures and videos of MY CUTE KIDS!

*Last Friday was library day at school for Natalie. She brought home a French children's book she said she picked out. Thinking that "Okay, I am doing good in French lessons with the text book reading, I can handle a children's library book" So Natalie and I got cozy on the couch to read her book. Well, let's just say that I was struggling. I gave up after a page and we picked out a new book- in English. Well, this Friday she went to the library again with her class. She was so excited on our walk home at lunch and said "Guess what mom? I picked out a new book for us to read...and this one has no words! You can read a book with no words right?!" Sure enough, she picked out a picture book- with NO words!

*Landon began crawling on his first birthday. When he crawls on the rug its on both knees. But when he crawls on the wood floor he has developed this "monkey crawl" has we have named it. Here is a video clip for you to enjoy!

He is also our little organizer- always stacking blocks, arranging toys from one side of the room to the other. Here he is sorting his blocks.

*And just this morning we were doing laundry and cleaning up around the house. I pass through the living room and Natalie & Landon were both in the laundry basket with a bunch of toys. She says "We're on a boat going to Mexico, mommy!" Here they are on their "boat".

Natalie did really good at school this week. She struggled a little bit at drop of time. But once she got in the class room the teacher said she had a great time. She came home with a card she made and said they made a crown in class too. Here is a video clip about school. Have a great week everyone!

First day of French school...

So yesterday was our first day of French school! Here is what I learned:

1. It is very important to be on time. This was always an issue for me in high school...I always tend to be running late! We made it on time yesterday, but I have been told they frown on you if you are late!

2. You will meet friends at school! Well, I didn't necessarly make friends, but I did meet a American dad dropping off his daughter! When I heard English words in a crowded hallway of French voices, it almost startled me!

3. I will get lots of excerise at school! I didn't get to play on the playground and the bikes...but I did walk 24 blocks going to and from school 3 times! Maybe this is why French women stay so thin!

Oh wait...This is about Natalie's first day! Well, it was my first day too... I should get to tell about what I learned, right!!

Natalie had a fabulous first day at school! Her school is all in French! We met two other girls that speak English. One is from Holland and the other has an American dad (who I met) and a French mother. Natalie said she played with both.

We went last Friday to meet her teacher and visit the school. The school is very modern. There is a gymnastics room (more like a P.E. room) and all the walls are decorated with the kids art work. Before going into each room, the kids have little cubbies to put their things. They also remove their shoes and wear slippers in the class room!

When I dropped Natalie off, she was greeted by her teacher with a kiss on each cheek! She was all smiles. She turned before going in and said "Mommy, don't forget to leave all my things!" She had a great morning. She enjoyed music class and story time she said.

In France the school schedule is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (Wednesdays off). She goes from 8:30-11:30 and 1:30-4:30. I pick her up for lunch and walk her back. If both parents are at work, then the kids can stay for lunch there, but because I stay at home, she eats with me. I think it is great that I get to see her in the middle of the day too! When we returned after lunch, she played on the playground. She said they went in after they played. She didn't have much to say about the afternoon when I picked her up. She did say "school is hard work!" So funny! She was excited to go back this morning, so I guess that was a good sign!

Landon, is a little congested, so we spent the morning at the house. I think we will enjoy the moringings together and it will give me a chance to get caught up on house work and shopping. We have also just been invited to some playgroups...but more on that next week!

I am beginning my "New Years" resolution of blogging weekly a little late. But check back next week to hear more about our life in France!